Convertible hat

ABSTRACT

A system for displaying changeable messages in a hat is shown and described. The system may include a hat including a crown and a button affixed to the crown, and a message display removably attachable to the crown. The message display may include comprising a message panel, an attachment element configured to engage the hat by sliding into close fit with the button between the button and the crown, and a post spanning the message panel and the attachment element. The message panel may be perpendicular to the attachment element. The attachment element may include a slot including a closed proximal end proximate the message panel and an open distal end such that the slot surrounds a juncture between the crown and the button when the message display is deployed. The slot may have a relatively wide portion proximate the open distal end and a relatively narrow portion proximate the closed proximal end.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority in accordance with 37 CF.R. ¶ 1.19(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/561,356 filed for CONVERTIBLE HAT filed Sep. 21, 2017 which is included herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to accessory systems for hats, and more particularly, to a system enabling a sign to be coupled to a hat for display of a message.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In fields of interest such as sports, fans of a particular team frequently prefer to display their affiliation or preference on apparel and hats. So-called baseball style caps having large bills have been popular for many years and offer a potential platform for displaying preferences. However, a hat may be worn on many different occasions. A display directed to only one team may leave unmet needs at different venues.

There remains a need for a hat that can present different displays for different occasions, and for message displays achieving this result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the above stated need by providing a system including a hat including a crown and a button affixed to the crown, and a message display removably attachable to the crown. The message display may include comprising a message panel, an attachment element configured to engage the hat by sliding into close fit with the button between the button and the crown, and a post spanning the message panel and the attachment element. The message panel may be perpendicular to the attachment element. The attachment element may include a slot including a closed proximal end proximate the message panel and an open distal end such that the slot surrounds a juncture between the crown and the button when the message display is deployed. The slot may have a relatively wide portion proximate the open distal end and a relatively narrow portion proximate the closed proximal end.

The present invention provides improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a message display, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the message display of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of a hat and the message display of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a to plan detail view of the message display of FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to the Figures, according to at least one aspect of the invention, there is shown a system 100 for displaying changeable messages on a hat 10 having a top button 14. System 100 may comprise hat 10 including a crown 12 and button 14 affixed to crown 12, and a message display 102 (shown in its entirety in FIGS. 1 and 2) removably attachable to crown 12. Message display 102 may comprise a message panel 104 and an attachment element 106 configured to engage hat 10 by interfit with button 14. Attachment element may comprise a clevis 110 dimensioned and configured to slide into close fit with button 14 between button 14 and crown 12

Message display 102 may take other forms, such as a pocket or a clip (neither shown), to better grasp an item to be held by message display 102. Of course, fasteners such as snaps, hook and loop material, etc. may beaded to message display 102.

In so-called baseball style caps, as illustrated in FIG. 3, button 14 may be attached to crown 12 by a rivet (not shown). This causes button 14 to be located in tight abutment with crown 12. It would not be possible to surround button 14 sufficiently to retain message display 102 securely to hat 10. Therefore, clevis 108 includes a slot 108 almost as wide as button 14.

Message panel 104 may bear indicia (not shown) on either or both broad faces 112, 114. Broad face 112 will be arbitrarily designated as facing to the front of hat 10, while broad face 114 will be arbitrarily designated as facing to the rear of hat 10. Indicia may include symbols, logos, text, depictions of real and fictitious objects, or any other indicia conveying a message to an observer. Indicia may be permanently imprinted, inscribed or placed on message panel 104, or may be temporary in nature. Indicia may comprise a wipeable or washable ink, a removable or permanent decal, or may take other forms.

It should be noted at this point that orientational terms such as front and rear refer to the subject drawing as viewed by an observer. The drawing figures depict their subject matter in orientations of normal use, which could obviously change with changes in posture and position of hat 10 as worn. Therefore, orientational terms must be understood to provide semantic basis for purposes of description, and do not limit the invention or its component parts in any particular way.

System 100 may further comprise a post 116 spanning message panel 104 and attachment element 106. Post 116 elevates message panel 104 above attachment element 106 without requiring full width of the latter to extend to attachment element 106.

Attachment element 106 may be substantially planar and have a nominal thickness 118. Message panel 104 may be substantially planar and have nominal thickness 118. Message panel 104 may be perpendicular to attachment element 106.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, attachment element 106 may comprise slot 108 including a closed proximal end 120 proximate message panel 104 and an open distal end 122, Slot 108 surrounds a juncture between crown 12 and button 14 when message display 102 is moved into engagement with hat 10. Arrow 124 indicates directions of movement of message display 102 into engagement with and out of engagement with button 14 in FIG. 3.

Attachment element 106 and post 116 may be extended or thickened as shown in FIG. 1 for mechanical reinforcement.

Best shown in FIG. 4, slot 108 has a relatively wide portion 126 proximate open distal end 122 and a relatively narrow portion 128 proximate closed proximal end 120. This gives slot 108 versatility in engaging button 14, in that in some hats 10, button 14 may tightly abut crown 12, while in other hats 10, button 14 may be loosely in abutment. A choice of widths of slot 108 increases likelihood that a snug fit will be achieved between hat 10 and attachment element 106.

Although hat 10 may be of different styles, it is contemplated that baseball style caps will be a primary beneficiary of the novel arrangement. Where realized as a baseball style cap, hat 10 may include a visor or bill 130 (FIG. 3) at a front side of hat 10 and a crown diameter adjustment feature at a rear side of hat 10. The crown diameter adjustment feature may comprise overlapping straps (an end 132 of one strap is seen in FIG. 3) bearing hook and loop fastener, for example. This is conventional in baseball style caps, and need not be set forth in greater detail herein.

Optionally, hat 10 may include at least one pocket on crown 12. FIG. 3 illustrates one pocket 134 having a closure flap 136 and another pocket 136 having a zipper or slide fastener 133. Pocket(s) 134 may accommodate small items such as keys, coins, tickets, etc. (none shown). A further use for pocket(s) 134 is to anchor message display 102, where attachment element 106 comprises a straight tab or extension (not shown) projecting downwardly from message panel 104, with or without post 116. The tab or extension may be dimensioned and configured to be received in one pocket 134 in close fit therewith, thereby stably anchoring message display 102 using pocket(s) 134.

The invention may also be regarded as system 100 encompassing a combination of hat 10 and message display 102, or alternatively, as just message display 102, as the latter is usable with conventional hats 10.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible. 

I claim:
 1. A system for displaying changeable messages on a hat having a top button, the system comprising: a hat including a crown and a button affixed to the crown, and a message display removably attachable to the crown, the message display comprising a message panel and an attachment element configured to engage the hat by interfit with the button.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment element comprises a clevis dimensioned and configured to slide into close fit with the button between the button and the crown.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a post spanning the message panel and the attachment element.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the attachment element is substantially planar and has a nominal thickness, the message panel is substantially planar and has a nominal thickness, and the message panel is perpendicular to the attachment element.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the attachment element comprises a slot including a closed proximal end proximate the message panel and an open distal end, wherein the slot surrounds a juncture between the crown and the button when the message display is moved into engagement with the hat.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the slot has a relatively wide portion proximate the open distal end and a relatively narrow portion proximate the closed proximal end.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the hat includes a bill at a front side of the hat and a crown diameter adjustment feature at a rear side of the hat.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the hat includes at least one pocket on the crown.
 9. A message display removably attachable to a crown of a hat having a button affixed to the crown, the message display comprising: a message panel; and an attachment element configured to engage the hat by interfit with the button, wherein the attachment element comprises a clevis dimensioned and configured to slide into close fit with the button between the button and the crown, wherein the attachment element is substantially planar and has a nominal thickness, the message panel is substantially planar and has a nominal thickness, and the message panel is perpendicular to the attachment element, and comprises a slot including a closed proximal end proximate the message panel and an open distal end, wherein the slot surrounds a juncture between the crown and the button when the message display is moved into engagement with the hat.
 10. The message display of claim 9, further comprising a post spanning the message panel and the attachment element. 